Putin has done a fantastic job for us over the last ten years, and he continues in the same way now. He is an operational guy working constantly for results, so is a very necessary part of a government that can actually achieve things, rather than just talk about things. He is the guy to have around on a permanent basis, but also he is the guy you absolutely need in a tight situation. He works well with Medvedev, and I think in our state of development, we now have them both gravitated to their best positions for the current situation. Medvedev is driving much necessay wider change, which is built on the fruits of Putin's previous work and also supported by Putin's ongoing hard work. We really have it both ways with these two excellent leaders. A huge thankyou to Putin for the foundations and Medvedev for continuing with the ball in a very positive developmental broad manner. Go Russia!

It is not easer or even polite for a foreigner to propel himself in an other country's politic. I take advantage of what I have learned, thanks to a rather strange destiny. I also recall having previously sent a comment to RT on the subject. American respect strong-minded persons, not weak ones. They did not like Charles De Gaulle but they respected him. They knew that they could not fool him or suck him in crazy deals. He was the last French leader appreciated in the USA. All his successors were seen as"guignols" with the golden palm for the actual president of France. Mister Putin was feared by American, they even try to coax him: but it did not work. Mr Medvedev, coming from the business sector seems to be more accessible for them. With a pad in the back, through a well conceived deceitful meeting, he will be less reluctant to be sucked in US dirty tricks. His meetings with Obama looked like two old western business acquaintances talking affairs. We may have the answer to this dilemma very shortly in the new START treaty...Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev make a very good team; the best that Russia can have but the roles should be inversed in 2012...Sincerely. JCM

I think the current team is doing very well for Russia, and Medvedev should be re-elected for a second term. A president's programs sometimes do not see results for several years, and Medvedev is working on a big one with his anti-corruption campaign. With Putin continuing to back him up, Medvedev might see some progress in his second term.

Nobody in Russia did more for Russia than Vladimir Putin. He has saved Russia from total destruction. People should not fall for Western ani-Putin propaganda. That propaganda only confirms that he is the best for Russian interests He took away Russian gas&oil from western criminals and saved country! That's why they hate him! Nobody in Russia comes even close to Vladimir Putin as candidate for President! President Medvedev would make good PM though. I fully subscribe with ever y word of Mr. Meslin's analysis of Mr. Putin and Mr. Medvedev! Vladimir Putin for PRESIDENT 2012 !

Agreed, jako777 and Meslin, I think Putin saved the country from dissolving into a bunch of little squabbling republics during his two terms. Russia would probably not have survived as a federation without him and would have been "easy pickings" for western powers looking to repeat the "mandate" treatment we gave China a century ago. There are many very good reasons why Putin is so popular among most of the Russian population. That said, I think he is doing the right thing by promoting Medvedev as president and by trying not to overpower Medvedev's authority. The personality cult that surrounds Putin is fun for the short term, but it may not be good for the long term health of the Russian Federation if it becomes the basis of government. Putin and Medvedev are setting the precedent for future presidents (yes I know Yeltsin was first prexy for the RF, but he did not set a good example, whether it was his fault or no). Eventually Putin will be gone except in the history books, and then what? Will there be a pattern of "personality cult, president-for-life", or will the pattern be a routine hand-over of power to the next elected president? Maybe Russians would be comfortable with Putin as president for 3 or 4 or 5 terms, and maybe he would govern wisely all that time, but would Russians be comfortable with somebody in 30 - 40 years who wanted to repeat Putin's example? Not sure if I am being very clear on this. I do think Putin has been good for Russia in both offices. I just think Putin and Medvedev are at a "tipping point" in Russian governance, and they could end up serving as the example for future presidents and prime ministers. I keep remembering what has been said about George Washington - he served 2 terms as president and said that was enough. He was wildly popular too, and some people wanted him to be the new American monarch. Among the many things Washington was known for, he was also the guy who said "no", and that changed our history.